Wait, is this really happening?Was Beth literally going to be our saving grace on this? That was hard to wrap my head around. Liarsbeing honest and bad people being good. Felt like an oxymoron. Or another illusion.
“And if we locate Eden but not Mitch?” he asked. “What are the orders?”
“If they can confirm Eden’s safe, then the team sits tight. They’ll wait and see if Mitch shows up. If he doesn’t, then Echo Team will stay on Eden, then move in for the save on the night of the auction as planned.”
“This feels a little too good to be true.” I hated to be the one to say it, but something didn’t sit right with me, like we were still missing the big picture. Too focused on putting together the thousand pieces first.
“It does feel a little too perfect,” Hollis admitted. “Which is why we prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” She gestured to the living room. “Your brother’s team will stay with you, and I have no plans to leave your side after failing you the first time.” She pinned Trevor with a curious look. “You still up for operating with Echo, or is Bear’s vote going to waste?” She shot him a quick smile.
Trevor exhaled and looked back at me. “What am I doing?”
“You’re asking me?”Ah, right. You won’t be able to stop helping people once you start again.Not the worst problem to have.
He lifted his brows. “So?”
“That’s a simple decision.” I rested my hand on his chest. “Go be the man your son looks up to as a role model. And while you’re doing that,” I said with a smile, “I’ll have your back here, waiting for your return.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Alejandro
I tugged at the brim of my cap, using it to try to shield my eyes as I reemerged from the room I’d be bunking in and made my way to where everyone was gathered. Well, everyone except Audrey and Trevor, of course.
Hollis had come back without them after she went to share the news, since I’d walked my ass out of there upon accidentally witnessing what sure as hell looked like a reconciliation between Audrey and Trevor.
Hands on his cheeks. His head tilted forward as she leaned up. They’d been about to kiss.
I’d bailed, feeling like someone had cut my heart out. Since dead men kept walking these days, it made perfect sense that I’d still be functioning without that organ.
Audrey was allowed to change her mind. Just because we had a connection didn’t mean there couldn’t be another one between her and Trevor.
I’d only known her for two months, and she’d known Trevor for over ten years. What’d I expect?
I needed to find a way to be happy for them because that was the right thing to do.
But tonight, seeing them together, had me feeling like I’d fallen into the deep end of the ocean, in shark-infested waters, having forgotten how to swim.
Consider me down.
At the motherfucking bottom.
Never getting back up again.
Hopefully, one day, I’d actually be able to say,Congratulations, glad your family is back together,and mean it. Ineededto mean it, dammit.
Right now, though, I was choosing the asshole route. Being a grade-A certified selfish piece of shit for wishing she’d chosen me. Wishing we were meant to be, since I’d never felt this way about anyone before.
I shoved my dark thoughts aside when Ryder joined me. “You okay?”
It took him coming over for me to realize I’d only taken one step out of my bedroom before I’d landed in overthinking, quicksand purgatory. I must’ve looked like I was off my rocker. No wonder he was doing a quick mental health check on me.
Ihadlost it.Loco, all right.
I’d fallen for an off-limits woman after promising myself never to fall again. Period.
“I’m great.” I swallowed. “But Reed? Not so much. The man was hoping their team dog would be joining us. He’s depressed.”
Ryder squared up next to me, letting me know he wasn’t going anywhere. The man always had my back, even when I didn’t want it.
